Mount Druitt residents still waiting on same-sex marriage survey

More than 10 million people have returned their postal surveys on same-sex marriage ahead of the November 7 deadline.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics, which is running the non-compulsory plebiscite, said 62.5 per cent of all surveys have been sent back.

But residents in a Mount Druitt street say they are still waiting to receive their letter.

One resident in Derwent Street said she contacted the ABS to chase up her letter last week, after she found out that about half of her neighbours also hadn’t been sent their surveys.

“A week has gone by and we still have’t received it,” she told the Star.

“Other neighbours got theirs three weeks ago, but after a quick survey of my own street I found more than 50 per cent were waiting.

“That’s about 20 households.”

The controversial postal plebiscite has proved divisive in the wider community.

Allegations of hate speech and discrimination have raged on both sides of the debate, while others have called the $122 million survey a waste of money.

The resident said she was worried that with locals not receiving their letters, the government might not get a “clear picture” of the nation’s values.

“If they’re spending tax payers’ money on this, they should make sure that everyone has their say,” she said.

Results from the survey will be released on November 15.

A ‘yes’ result will trigger a free vote to legalise same-sex marriage in Federal Parliament.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turbull has said there will be no parliamentary vote if a ‘no’ result is returned.

An ABS spokesperson said a common reason for someone not receiving their survey was having the wrong address listed on the electoral roll.

“Eligible Australians who have not yet received their survey form should contact the ABS, and we'll arrange for a replacement Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey form to be sent to them,” the spokesperson said.

“All Australians are reminded that October 20 is the final day for requesting or picking up replacement survey forms.”

Anyone who has not received their same-sex marriage postal survey should contact the ABS on 1300 572 113.